​ Good morning to each one... It is a blessing to be able to be together today to worship God as His family, the church. Christianity is a religion based upon love. Jesus spoke of God so loving the world that He offered His only begotten Son to die upon a cross in order that we might have the opportunity to be forgiven and saved (Jn. 3:16). The Apostle Paul stated that God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still lost in sin Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). The Apostle John spoke of Jesus, through love, giving the ultimate for mankind, His life (Jn. 15:13-14). God and Christ did what they did for us out of love.

​ This Thursday is, of course, Thanksgiving Day. What a great day, and what a great purpose behind it! A day when families typically get together and enjoy one another’s company around a special meal. A day when people are more easy with one another, nicer. A day when people think, on purpose, of their blessings and of the Giver of those blessings come. A day when people take time to pray and give thanks for what they have.

The previous article discussed the state of many people who live ungodly lifestyles and continually suffer for their bad choices. The question posed was, why don’t they turn to God and find a better way? The answer offered was, God is not in their thoughts, His will for their lives is not even a consideration in their minds!

​ I’ve often stated that I don’t know how people can make it without God in their lives. I’m not speaking of atheists particularly, though they certainly would be included. I’m thinking of people, most of whom would state belief in God, who do not walk with God in faithfulness. They do not live by His teachings. They seldom, if ever, attend church services in order to worship Him. They do not honor God in their lives.

​ There were no firecrackers, no fan fare, parade or national holiday to celebrate the event! But on September 21st the summer of 2017 ended. For some it was a summer of indescribable misery at the loss of possessions and loved ones to hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. For others it brought fame or fortune. Yes, the summer of ‘17 will be remembered in different ways.

​ A Christian is not an island unto himself. Rather, he is a living stone within the greater structure of the Lord’s church (1 Pet. 2:5). There is no way to be a Christian without being a part of the church, for the Lord personally adds to His church all who become Christians (Acts 2:47). As individual Christians, and as the church, we are to focus upon being examples to the world around us. As such, we should bring glory to God as we help the world see Christ in us (Matt. 5:13-16).

​ Most everybody lives by some philosophy of life. Some people may not think theirs through very carefully, but it’s pretty certain that they have one, nonetheless. It is that philosophy that determines an individual’s values, goals and direction in life. What is important to him, how he lives, even how he thinks is a result of whatever overriding principle he employs to determine what his life is all about.

​ A number of descriptive expressions are used by a lot of people, not always accurately, in regards to the Holy Spirit. One such expression is “in the Spirit.” Many seem to use this phrase to describe a person who is supposedly overwhelmed, overcome or taken over by the Holy Spirit. In some cases, such a person supposedly no longer has control of himself, but the Spirit temporarily takes control and basically manipulates him to do what the Spirit wants him to do. At times, the person may appear to be in something of a trance-like state.

​ I have been surprised of late, shocked really, that many people who identify themselves as Christians do not know what the gospel is. How could a person become a Christian without knowing what the gospel is? How could somebody worship and live as a Christian and not know what the gospel is? How would such a state be described? Ignorance? Self-deception? Deception orchestrated by the devil?

​ Our Gospel Meeting with Phil Sanders begins next Sunday morning, October 1st, and runs through the following Wednesday evening, October 4th. The theme is Jesus Our Hope. What a great theme! Everybody in the world needs to know that they have real hope through Jesus. They also need to realize that their only real hope is in Jesus.